Beckman Chronicle: Volume VI, Edition I

Every school year, it feels like we’re always on the go, whether it’s running from one class to the next, rushing to meetings during lunch, or studying for the week’s tests. Sports, clubs, work, and school can sometimes pile up before we even notice. Life can seem like a never-ending road. But sometimes, instead of kicking it up another gear, we have to ease onto the brakes and enjoy the scenery. With that idea in mind, our edition’s theme is “Late Night Drives”, channeling the same feelings of relaxation and reflection that come with a midnight cruise. For students old enough to drive, the feeling of crisp night air flowing through the open windows, friends’ laughter beside us, and music playing from the speakers can take the mind off of life’s stressors. Even though we should challenge ourselves, it's important to take time for ourselves too. As winter break approaches, it’s the perfect time to destress. From stories of Beckman cars, to student art, to the ideal driving playlist, we hope our edition will leave you inspired and refreshed. Our content, design, and photography teams have been hard at work, bringing you the edition you hold in your hands today. From all of us at The Beckman Chronicle, we hope you enjoy it!

The Pomodoro

Method:

1. Set a 25 minute timer. During the 25 minutes, eliminate all distractions, such as your phone.

2. Enjoy a 5-10 minute break of relaxing or anything that makes you happy, like drawing or listening to music.

3. Repeat three more times.

4. Once the fourth interval is complete, take a longer break, ranging from 15-30 minutes.

Split large tasks into smaller, more manageable segments with the Pomodoro method. Each time interval of studying is called a pomodoro.

As the year progresses, students at Beckman are studying for fnals and working on end-of-year projects, all while having regular homework loads. The studying and stress is increasing, yet learning how to manage everything can be difcult. Luckily, there are multiple strategies on how to study and decrease stress!

STUDY TIPS

Written By: Buse Cerezci

STUDY TIPS

Cornell Method:

After all this hard work, make sure to reward yourself! Taking breaks and eating nutritious snacks allows the brain to study at its best. By fnding a study style that works for you, you’re guaranteed to succeed.

1. When listening to a lecture or video, take notes, whether they’re key words or full sentences.

2. Write down any questions you may have. Later, you can research the answers or ask a teacher.

3. Lastly, summarize the material. It’s hard for the brain to take in so much at once, so summarizing is a great way to retain information.

Design By: Maili Le & Gigi Lau

” Step Study Method:

Using the Pomodoro Method has helped me manage my stress and time. I feel like I’m the most productive with this method, because it helps me complete all my assignments with my best efort. It leaves me stress free. Tanisha Shenoy, sophomore

Find the main objective of what you need to learn or an overall idea of what you're studying. 1.

3

Collect all the information you need accordingly. This can be done through various ways: Apps like YouTube provide many materials, such as quick summaries of what you are learning or even long lectures. Also, see if your teachers provide resources for the class. Taking notes on articles given by teachers is very helpful. Gather an understanding and learn the material from diferent aspects. This can be done by comparing, contrasting, and analyzing what you’ve learned.

A lot of students have trouble organizing or creating a schedule for their studying session. The 3 Step Study method is a great solution for this. The steps of this technique include preview, study and revision.

The last step is to see if you are able to recall the information. Try taking practice tests or presenting the information to your family and friends.

Sources:

wrike.com. “What Is the Pomodoro Technique and How Does It Work?” FutureLearn “ e ree-Step Model” Nazareth College “Cornell Note Taking Method”

Beckman Teachers’

Passionate Pastimes

MUSICAL MEMORIES: Mr. Hochschild’s passion for guitar

For Mr. Hochschild, one of Beckman’s junior English teachers, learning to sing and play the guitar has given him the opportunity to share his love of music with his many students.

Q: What is your hobby? How did you start?

A: One of my hobbies is playing guitar and singing and writing songs, and it started when I was nineteen. Even though I loved listening to music for so long, I never saw myself as musical. But once I got into guitar, I started listening to songs and playing the one chord I knew: A, the easiest chord. I remember listening to this song by Neil Young, and whenever he got to the A chord I would adjust to it. Over the years I would just play, but even from the beginning I made my own songs.

Q: What’s your favorite part about playing?

A: I really like the creative part. I like creating something out of nothing, so once I write a song, have that with me wherever I go. It’s kind of nice that I can show up anywhere and sing it, or if there’s a guitar there

Q: How do you share your hobby with students?

A: I’ll play in class every once in a while, and I’ve done teacher talent shows a few times. I think it gives me a lot of gratification to be able to share that, and for students to be able to see that there is another side to me, beyond the everyday. And sometimes students have gotten inspired and write their own thing. So it’s really nice to be able to share that, and see them.

I think the concept of beginning something, specifically guitar, is something that I really value, because it really shows that sustained effort will get you somewhere. So I would say make it fun and focus on what you enjoy about it. ”

CREATIVELY COOKING: Ms. Pirouzian’s passion for cooking

Although some may view cooking as a tedious task, Beckman English teacher Ms. Pirouzian recently found a creative passion in the culinary arts.

Q: What is your hobby? How did you start?

A: I have several hobbies, but one that I have recently been investing more time and commitment to is cooking diverse dishes. I have been interested in cooking on and off, but during the pandemic, I had more time to start learning harder dishes and experimenting with different ingredients. I also learned and read so much more about nutrition and holistic whole foods, that I perceive cooking as a creative hobby now.

Q: What’s your favorite part about cooking?

A: My favorite part of cooking is the creative component. One can balance traditional recipes with personal preferences, as well as learn more about different cultures through food. This creativity is not just during the cooking itself but also during prep work. For example, doing research on different dishes and specific ingredients, including their benefits, and then shopping for the ingredients. Then, afterwards making adjustments with the array of spices, herbs, vegetables, and side dishes. Finally, I am able to share discoveries and food with others.

Q: How has cooking affected your life?

A: It is a hobby when one perceives it to be one, as it is also an essential part of our lives. It has affected my life because the research I have done in this process has made me more informed, the cultural component of cooking has given me diverse learning experiences, and the collaborative elements has made me realize how fascinating it can be to work and share with others this process. Essentially, cooking has and continues to become a hobby that involves learning more about nutrition, cultures, and creativity, all of which are important to one’s health, unity, and joy.

Written by: May Allen & Seth Sosa | Design by: Gianna Iskandar

Illustrations by: Vy Le & Ashley Lee | Photography by: Jaclyn Kanda

Shoes:

Fall Fashion

Written By: Nuha Iftekhar & Seth Sosa | Design

By: Sanjana Menon | Photography By: Meena Senapathi & Farzana Chowdhury

Maili’s sleek black leather look was made to emulate late-night grunge NYC city fashion. She integrates simple, neutral pieces with eyecatching jewelry to create a bold efect for this look; her outft is a mixture of retail, thrift stores, and gifts from friends. For these acubistyle looks, Maili turns to social media for outft inspiration; some IG accounts she loves are @ linsiannshi and @scarfcxe.xo, as well as her own Pinterest, @maili.le.

Ring: Bruno Mars pinky ring necklace (used as ring), gold plated snake ring

Chelsea Boots (gifted from a friend)

Model: Maili Le

Fall Fashion

Written By: Nuha Iftekhar & Seth Sosa | Design

By: Sanjana Menon | Photography By: Meena Senapathi & Farzana Chowdhury

A buzz-haired athlete who frequently skates around in fne leather shoes, Ethan Lee is a staple of how personal style can be efortlessly unique. His sleek, burgundy-centered look comes from a simple interest in second-hand fashion. The totality of his wardrobe consists of pieces he’s grabbed from the racks at various thrift shops around the city. Each garment rides a line of familiarity and contradiction to conventional custom. No stranger to personal comfort through miniscule expression, Ethan opts to not pay so much attention to the crafting of an outft, which ironically creates an even more unique presentation. In comfortable elegance, he never seems out of style nor in the trend: a limbo of personal freedom.

The Unkillable Records

Content by: Ethan Erickson & Seth Sosa | Layout & Illustrations by: Serena Zhang

Photography by: Abby Chu & Farzana Chowdhury

As suburban centers retain character and uniquely bestowed complexity, businesses find themselves as defining parts of an area’s identity. Tom Serafin’s shop, Rasta-Cowboy Records, is like the eyes and ears of Tustin’s musical interests.

A full-body picture of Elvis pasted on the front door and a plethora of artist memorabilia greet the customer at first entry. Even the

even your slightest curiosity. Walking into Rasta Cowboy Records is akin to strolling through a song’s melody.

Tom Serafin is a man who understands the culture better than most. Running the shop through its time in business, his involvement in the record culture has been a

prominent accomplishment of passion.

Although there are numerous communities in person or online who focus upon trading, collecting, and selling all formats of music, some say the vinyl has nearly died off!

shop’s history of hosting concerts inside lies evident through the wooden floors and the smell of old prints. An extensive inventory of niche sound and gimmick floods the room in a controlled chaos which curates to

“ ”

I named the store after the two music genres I love the most. ‘Rasta’ for my love of Reggae music and ‘Cowboy’ for my love of Western Swing music.

Serafin explains this supposed “death of the vinyl” and the state of physical music today, “The death of vinyl first came about with the arrival of the compact disc. Most people sold or gave away their vinyl and started buying CD’s. Some of us were slow to the change and never got rid of our collections. As a matter of fact, most of us grew our collections during this time. Overall, the physical music business never did go away completely, it just shrunk. Record collectors could still

Music: Listen to everything, don’t let people influence your tastes. Don’t judge an album by one track, listen to the whole album, I recommend at least three times. Vinyl: Quality over quantity. New doesn’t always mean better.

”

find albums being pressed and sold in other countries or in limited press here in the USA.”

Yet, the increasingly obsolete hobby of collecting vinyl records lives on through a number of students on our campus. Among these students is Josh Gonzalez, a junior with over 56 records in his extensive collection. When asked why he doesn’t just turn on Spotify like everyone else, he said, “It feels more special when you get to physically put on the album. It feels more rewarding in a way.”

This kind of intimate interaction with the music is one of a kind and exclusive only to physical albums. Josh’s favorite, “Sling” by

is a good experience for anyone to have. I’m really glad I was exposed to it when I was,” he said. Also among Beckman’s secret society of vinyl enthusiasts is Lily Zahrii, a junior and friend of Josh. Her love for records comes from a love of vintage things in general and eras of the past. She often prefers this medium of music because of the ability to “disconnect” and get away from the digital. “Sometimes using my phone and listening to music has so many distractions. There is constant overstimulation and if I want to unplug and relax, a record player is a really good escape.”

Tom Serafin’s message to highschoolers remains a classical

used-record shop in 2016 has expanded to other products such as clothes, art, CD’s, and more. Yet, as the younger generation continues to grow interests and the tastes of the public continue to follow suit with the times, Rasta-Cowboy

Records remains a light of hope for culture and art. A star, who is not to be mistaken for a meer flare.

Vinyls into Vibrance

Music and painting are two art forms of a very different kind, yet our Beckman artists were able to capture both in their latest project! From a collection of old vinyl records, Mrs. Squieri’s students each transformed a plain black record into a beautiful, colorful representation of the featured singer, or of a theme that they chose to convey.

12th-grader Luis Enrique Gonzalez chose a vinyl record of Donna Summers, the globally-known “Queen of Disco” in the late-70s. Through his painting, Luis tried to capture the essence of that era, with a 70s/lava lamp-style decoration. The words “I Feel Love” stretch across the bottom of a purple graphic, a tribute to Donna Summer’s hit album of the same name. “For the colors and themes of my artwork, I draw my inspiration from older generations, psychedelics, and my own imagination.” The 17-year-old loves to surround himself with artwork and usually needs music and sleep for an ideal artwork environment.

By contrast, 11th-grader Aisha Chowdhury is not one of the students of Mrs. Squieri but still wanted to participate in the vinyl-painting project. “I liked how I was able to use my creativity, because I haven’t done art in a while.” Her painting features a line drawing of a woman, with colorful butterflies scattered around her figure. For this project, Aisha chose to reflect a mood rather than the original singer on the record: “I think I conveyed a peaceful mood through my painting because of the tranquility of the butterflies.” She was “excited to start painting again” and described her ideal surroundings for creating art, which includes “some type of background noise. Whether it’s music, talking, or a TV show, it helps me focus even though it might seem to serve as a distraction,” said Aisha.

Luis Enrique Gonzalez’s purple - splashed vinyl, in honor of donna summer’s hit album “I Feel

Aisha Chowdhury’s tranquil line painting of a woman surrounded by butterflies

Written By: Nuha Iftekhar | Design By: Gianna Iskandar | Photography By: Farzana Chowdhury

Other vinyl records painted by the students feature artists from a range of different times and genres; on a vinyl record of 80s rock band Alice in Chains, 11th-grader Azra Tabak created a moody painting of a girl to capture the genre of the music.

The

Mrs.

Rasta-Cowboy Records in Old Town Tustin was excited to host the photoshoot for our student artworks, and as a connoisseur of art records, owner Tom Serafin enjoyed the creativity of the project and the unique styles of our featured artists. The Beckman Chronicle thanks Tom Serafin, for the use of his store and his support of the artistic and journalistic ventures of the Beckman students! Visit Rasta-Cowboy Records at 155 E Main St, Tustin, CA 92780.

Another student, Jonathan Lee, chose an old vinyl record of Christmas songs by the New York Philharmonic Choir; the bright colors and pop-art style used in his painting almost evoke Andy Warhol, and give off a sense of cheer (similar to Christmas itself).

Squieri tried her own hand at this project through a vividly colorful painting of the name “Joplin” across

Saniya Syed brought the legend Queen back to life through her vibrant, nostalgic artwork

rock genre of Alice in Chains shines through Azra Tabak’s use of a darker color palette

Jonathan Lee’s bright colors and vivid outlines catch the eye in this cheerful recreation of the New York Philharmonic Group

On the Road to Success

As the most active clubs on campus, Beckman organizations provide a plethora of opportunities for students. From art, to law, to philanthropy, there is a passion waiting to be discovered and explored in each of these organizations. For students who want to challenge themselves with extracurriculars, Beckman organizations are the perfect road to success.

By: Allison Kuan and May Allen | Designed by: Alvina Lin Photography by: Jackie Kanda

Raising the bar with Mock Trial

Ranked one of the top 16 schools in the SoCal region the past four years, Beckman’s Mock Trial team is primed and enthusiastic for their future competitions.

For some schools, Mock Trial means a class dedicated for the competitions, hired coaches who train students, and hours of commitment. While Beckman’s Mock Trial team also requires tremendous devotion, the organization is student-run and completely reliant on the passion and dedication of the students. For each competition, members must deeply analyze a case in order to build an argument and present it to real judges and lawyers.Besides performing as witnesses in the competitions, Mock Trial also provides an opportunity for students to experience what it is like to be a lawyer. Yet for senior and cocaptain Anika Nandakumar, Mock Trial has provided more than just an authentic experience in the courtroom. “The critical

thinking skills I learned from breaking down a case have helped me so much in school.

In my English and history classes, I’ve been able to pick up on things very quickly,” said Anika. Because of Mock Trial, Anika still keeps in touch with teammates that have graduated. It’s one of the unique results of spending hours each week working with an amazing team.

“It’s the people that make Mock Trial great; without good people, you won’t have a good team” Instagram: @beckman_mocktrial

The Capacity Of With COLORSTRY

The Capacity Of Colors With COLORSTRY

Colorstry has been serving the community through art since 2020, when CEO and senior Aditi Jain co-founded the 501(c)(3) non-proft. An extremely active organization, Colorstry now holds a chapter at Beckman and works with shelters, schools, and other community groups to host events. Members have the opportunity to share their artistic passions through mural paintings, workshops, or donation drives. through mural paintings, workshops, or donation drives. While there are many activities, Aditi’s favorite is the mural. As the only organization at Beckman to ofer the opportunity for mural painting, it’s become an important part of Colorstry. From the frst brainstorming session to the fnal brush stroke, members participate in all steps of the creative process. For Aditi mural painting is a time for team-bonding and relaxation. “When we’re painting, the atmosphere we create is amazing. Everybody is involved, everybody has a part to play, and everybody has fun,” said Aditi.

Unlocking New Opportunities with KEY CLUB

Recognizable for its bright orange club colors and friendly student body, Beckman’s Key Club continues to be a jewel among Beckman’s charity programs. Established in California in 1925, Key Club International is the largest student-led organization in the world, distinguished by its immense international impact and outreach. The local Beckman Key Club is part of Division 4 East of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District, and exhibits hundreds of service hours annually, bringing students together by hosting events such as blanket making, fundraisers, and donation drives. The mascot of Beckman’s Key club is the goldfsh, which synchronically matches with the gold standard that Key club models for its community, highlighted by the four-hundred active members the club draws in each year. Since her freshman year, club president Nicole Lin has worked herself up, and couldn’t be prouder of the dedicated members and board she collaborates with. Involvement in Key club provides bright opportunities in both friendship and leadership. Nicole expressed that, “Alongside the wonderful friendships made, I learned how to organize and put together service projects. Each term, we have outstanding members that just continue to outperform themselves every semester - and I think this proves that their care for acts of goodness is not provisional and short-lived, but something that is very stable and undying.”

Neighborhood Niches

Written By: Natalie Sparks

Design By: Maili Le

Even in Irvine and Tustin, tucked between the numerous Targets and Starbucks, are hidden, local shops. These small spaces aren’t as recognizable as larger chains, but that’s exactly what makes them so special. Their rarity adds a level of individuality, and all spots have adopted their own stylized atmosphere - each place with plenty of personality.

The Lost Bean

Hours: Daily 6am-7pm

Location: 13011 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780

It’s smaller than any Starbucks, and homier too. Junior Sofa Ahmed visited the cofee house recently, and recalls its comfortable feel. “It’s small, but that’s a part of what makes it seem so cozy. The low lights and handwritten signs add personality to this tiny cofee house. It would make a pretty nice place to study in; it feels quiet and private.”

Don’t be fooled by its small size – this charming cofee house is defnitely hardy. And not just when it comes to their food selection, but also their smart business model.

The original Lost Bean is located right in the heart of Tustin on Newport Avenue.

Since their frst location opened in Tustin in 2005, Bodie Rasmussen has opened another fve locations in Orange County, including one in Irvine. One of the most impressive things about this shop is that it’s sustainable: they opt for corn-made boxes that take 45-60 days to decompose, instead of plastics that take hundreds of years. All of their paper is from recycled materials, and they donate a large portion of their profts to charitable foundations.

Alongside organic teas, they ofer a variety of healthy selections such as avocado toast, breakfast burritos, and quiches. They also carry many baked in-house sweet treats, and of course, The Lost

Have you seen You’ve got Mail? Well, Arvida Book Co. in downtown Tustin has exactly the same “bookshop on the corner” vibe Meg Ryan describes in the movie. The bookstore is quaint, cozy, and makes you feel right at home.

Arvida Book Co.

Hours: Daily 7am-5pm

Location: 115 W. Main street, Tustin, CA 92780

According to Nuha Iftekhar, a Junior, “the bookstore just has a really relaxed and easygoing atmosphere.

They do sell new books, but even cooler than that is their eclectic collection of used ones.

Oh, and of course, the cofee is a must!”

Even in a passing conversation with the shop owners, the dedication that they have for their small-business shop is clear. The store ofers a playful kid’s section that looks like it came straight out of a junior bookworm’s dream. For the older audience they ofer local gifts, artifacts, book clubs, writer’s workshops, and other unique opportunities to connect with the community. If you haven’t stumbled upon this gem yet, you should.

It’s easy to get lost in this place with personality, because Arvida Book Co. entices you to come back and peruse its shelves for hours.

The Orange County Zoo

For an incredible $2 per person, it’s possible to visit the home of a variety of wild animals ranging from red-tailed hawks to black bears at the Orange County Zoo. Tucked away inside the beautiful Irvine Regional Park, which spans an impressive 8 acres, the Orange County Zoo is a must-visit location.

Hours: Weekdays 10am3:30pm, Weekends 10am4:30pm

The Zoo may be small, but it provides a diverse range of animals and activities. Its petting zoo experience is great for younger visitors, the staf is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and there are several diferent paths to explore. From their large mammal exhibit to their collection of tiny reptiles, the whole Zoo feels local and nonpublic – and some of their animals even top the selection of

the larger Santa Ana Zoo.

The surrounding park also hosts its own assortment of attractions such as horseback and pony rides, picnic areas, and bike rentals, but the Orange County Zoo is an ever-popular choice.

Content By: Nuha Iftekhar | Design & Photography By:

Over

Rishika Chedalawada, a Beckman alum and freshman at UC Davis, distinctly remembers being in Ms. Ryan’s class. Ms. Ryan made sure to emphasize the importance of understanding life through different lenses. “We talked a lot about personal things, like family. She was always willing to learn more, like asking my opinion as a person of color. In turn, I liked to help her incorporate that into lessons,” said Rishika. Ms. Ryan also encouraged students to read from diverse authors. Reading books like “The Hate U Give” exposed students to different perspectives and connected her class to contemporary social issues.

But, Ms. Ryan didn’t just teach in the classroom – she also taught lessons that went beyond academics. Senior Brandon Pham remembers one of the last conversations he had with her. “She told me, ‘Above all, don't let people stop you from doing what you want to do. The biggest obstacles we face are either the ones

we make, or the ones that others put in front of us.’ It’s advice I’ll forever remember,” said Brandon.

Ms. Ryan’s ability to build relationships with her students was even apparent with her colleagues. A friend and fellow English teacher, Mr. Hallstrom recalls his favorite memory of Ms. Ryan was seeing her interact with students. “So often, students would attempt to talk to her between classes –sometimes so many at once that they would line up! She would be shy, she would blush, she would wave them off… but, knowing her the way I did, I also saw that she loved her students so much,” said Mr. Hallstrom. A “walking library”, as Mr. Hallstrom called her, Ms. Ryan’s hope was to instill an appreciation of books in her students that would help them become life-long readers. Her personal library – generously donated by her family – can be found on special bookcases at the Beckman library.

Although Ms. Ryan is gone, the impact she leaves behind could not be more tangible. From inside the classroom to out, she leaves a legacy in the lives of every Beckman student, teacher, and staff who had the fortune of knowing her.

Written By: Allison Kuan

Design By: Cassidy Nguyen Photography By: Jaclyn Kanda

Rishika Chedalawada (middle) and Ms. Ryan (right)

the summer, the Beckman community was devastated by the passing of Ms. Tracey Ryan. Ms. Ryan was one of Beckman’s original staff, teaching English since its opening in 2004. Despite the loss of an incredible educator, Ms. Ryan had an unforgettable impact on students and colleagues who knew her.

By: Riley Gomez & Buse Cerezci Design By: Sanjana Menon Photography By: Abby Chu

At Beckman, we have a diverse range of students from all over the world. Students from Iran, Korea, India, Africa, and many more attend our school. Two students – Oko Suzuki and Yeji Sung – share the differences between Beckman and high schools in other countries.

After living in Japan for 3 Years, freshman Oko Suzuki moved back to the US. Oko was able to diferentiate the experiences she had in both high schools. “Schools are really diferent in Japan. There are nine diferent subjects that you have to learn: geography, math, English, PE, science, home economics, history, writing, and engineering,” said Oko. While schools in Japan require more classes, Beckman also includes a range of AP and honor classes. Both Japanese high schools and Beckman share the characteristics of being competitive schools.

Oko also noticed, “The respect that you have to show during school is diferent too. Here at Beckman we usually greet the teachers with a wave or ‘hello’, but in Japan we would bow and say ‘おはようございます、こ んにちは、さようなら’ which translates to good morning, hello, and goodbye. Before leaving and starting the lesson all students must say this, thanking the teachers for educating us.” Oko emphasizes the idea that schools in Japan can be more intense, yet Oko also agrees that Beckman can be competitive as well.

Similarly, freshman Yeji Sung agrees regarding Korean high schools. Yeji moved to America recently after

living in Korea for most of her life. She admits that Korean schools are considerably harder. “We would have an after school study program from 5-9, taking up most of our free time,” said Yeji. In contrast, Beckman students usually enjoy spending their time with their family and friends after school. For example, many students socialize at The Market Place, where they can eat lunch or study at a cafe. Students also participate in sports, whether it’s practice or a game. Although some students head over to after school programs like Kumon, a four hour study program is not as common. Nonetheless, both Schools in Korea and America ofer various programs for their students.

It is clear that both countries provide a dynamic lifestyle for their students. High schools all over the world include diferent customs, rules, and styles of learning. Regardless of the diferences, students from Japan, Korea, America, and many more countries are all given the opportunity to learn and grow.